from 1,341€

Perfect 4.6rating (7)

Rescued Animal Shelter Assistant

location
2 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Promote cultural exchange and immerse yourself in Honduran culture
  • Learn Spanish through daily exchanges with your host family and while working with Honduran people
  • Advocate for animal welfare on the Caribbean island of Roatan
  • Enjoy a new lifestyle and learn more about the Honduran culture
  • Enjoy the beautiful Caribbean island of Roatan with its white sandy beaches, crystal clear sea water and the second largest coral reef in the world

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

This program supports the welfare and protection of dogs, cats and other animals at a local shelter on Roatan. Work with stray dogs, cats or exotic animals.

Get active and stand up for the animals on the Caribbean island of Roatan. With this program, you can combine your passion for animals. Improve the unfortunate situation of abandoned animals on Roatan. During this volunteer program, you can help look for a new safe and beautiful home for stray dogs ...

About the program

Get active and stand up for the animals on the Caribbean island of Roatan. With this program, you can combine your passion for animals. Improve the unfortunate situation of abandoned animals on Roatan. During this volunteer program, you can help look for a new safe and beautiful home for stray dogs and cats. The program is struggling to provide sufficient space, food, medical care and attention to all of them. They must endeavor to rescue more of the ever-increasing number of abandoned animals struggling to survive alone on the streets. Augmenting the number of spays/neuters the perform each month will help reduce the large number of animals being abandoned to endure desperate lives of misery and diseases. 

The rescue services include emergency rescue and subsequent care of injured, abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. The public veterinary clinic provides low-cost and subsidized veterinary care with a focus on spaying, neutering, vaccionations and disease prevention. 

The program is managed by a logal NGO on Roatan. The sanctuary is home to dogs, cats, horses, iguanas and chickens. Due to the amount of work that it takes to keep the program running, the help provided by volunteers is always greatly appreciated. 

Your tasks as a volunteer may include: caring for street dogs and cats (taking dogs for walks), cleaning cges, administering drugs, supporting sterilization prcedures, assisting in rescue operations, distributing food for anmials on the street, public relations and educational work, maintaining websites, helping to raise funds, etc. 

You do not need to bring any equipment. The most important thing is a heart for the animals. Since the organization relies on the support of volunteers, you will work with various local and international volunteers.

Before starting your volunteer work, you will receive an orientation from our local staff. The local stuff is runned by English and Spanish speaking people. 


Typical day

Volunteers start at 7 or 8 am (as needed) until 2 or 3 pm. If desired, some may also take the afternoon shift. The schedule is mostly flexible, depending on the volunteers. You will still have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful beach and crystal clear ocean water in your free time. Volunteers ...

Typical day

Volunteers start at 7 or 8 am (as needed) until 2 or 3 pm. If desired, some may also take the afternoon shift. The schedule is mostly flexible, depending on the volunteers. You will still have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful beach and crystal clear ocean water in your free time. Volunteers help 5 days per week. Please be flexible with your days off as this depends on the number of volunteers and local volunteers.

This program allows you to rescue and work with abandoned cats and dogs while helping them find new homes. Daily tasks may include: 

  • Feeding the animals
  • Socializing
  • Cleaning cages and equipment
  • Drug administration and support with sterilization procedures
  • Support animal rehabilitation
  • Help with rescue operations where animals are brought in from the street
  • Distribution of food for animals living on the streets

As a volunteer, you can get involved in numerous areas. The tasks in this project are diverse and can change over the course of your volunteer service. 

Exotic animals also live on the island. These are also supported. Widespread on the Caribbean island of Roatan are iguanas. There are several species on Roatan. The aim is to protect the iguanas and their habitat through scientific programs and to raise public awareness of the threats these iguanas face. So you also have the possibility to support exotic animals. 


Free-time activities

In your free time there are many things to do on the Island Roatan. You may visit the beautiful Caribbean island of Roatan. In general, Roatan offers many possibilities – you can explore the island, snorkel or relax on the beaches of the island. Or you can visit some parks, such as the Gumbalimba ...

Free-time activities

In your free time there are many things to do on the Island Roatan. You may visit the beautiful Caribbean island of Roatan. In general, Roatan offers many possibilities – you can explore the island, snorkel or relax on the beaches of the island. Or you can visit some parks, such as the Gumbalimba National Park or the iguana farm, which are ideal for a day trip. Roatan also offers inexpensive diving classes on the second largest coral reef in the world. The local team, your host family or your colleagues in the project will be happy to give you additional tips.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level) or Spanish (basic level)

Required Documents

CV

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Open-minded and a heart for animals

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by SWHO

Before departure

  • Personal conversation to get to know each other
  • Placement in the desired project based on your interests
  • Placement in a suitable host family.
  • Individual support

On Roatan

  • Airport pick-up: transfer from the airport to the host family
  • Accommodation with a host family in a single room with half board
  • Breakfast and dinner during the stay with your host family
  • Orientation on site with information about the culture, way of life and your project assignment
  • Introduction to the project
  • On-site care and support
  • Certificate of attendance/internship


Airport Pickup at Roatan Airport

You arrive directly at the International Airport on Roatan. There you will be picked up by a member of our team and you will go together to the host family. Depending on the time of your arrival, you will get an introduction to local life and customs on the first day or the second day. You will learn the most important rules of conduct, receive information and tips on everyday life.

The next day, your project work on Roatan begins and you finally get to know your colleagues and your place of work.

Accommodation

In Honduras, you will live with a host family during your voluntary service or internship. By living with a host family, you will really get to know the Honduran culture. The Hondurans are very hospitable. They are considered cozy and benevolent people. Everything takes a little longer.

You will have your own bedroom with basic equipment. Other rooms, such as the bathroom, living room and kitchen, are shared with the other family members. Meals (breakfast and dinner) are included in the price. All host families are carefully selected.

Food & Beverages

During your stay with the host family, breakfast and dinner are included. The host families cook mostly local food such as rice, frijoles, meat and vegetables. Volunteers with a vegan or vegetarian diet are warmly welcome.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Roatan Airport (RTB) in Roatan. We assist you to find cheap flights to Honduras. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Honduras provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Honduras you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Honduras. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

You can arrive and start the project on any day of the week.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,341€
5 weeks 1,761€
6 weeks 1,900€
7 weeks 2,040€
9 weeks 2,320€
11 weeks 2,599€
24 weeks (max. stay) 4,416€
Average fees 427€/week

Program fees

427€ per week 2 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 24 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with SWHO during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

SWHO

Perfect 4.6 rating (7 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2008

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Eliane

About the project

We are a small non-profit organization specialized in volunteer projects and internships in Honduras.

Meet your organization

Many years ago, we founded our non-profit organization SWHO with the aim of offering volunteer work and internships in Honduras and thereby promoting cultural exchange. The abbreviation SWHO stands for SWitzerland - HOnduras. By living with a host family and working with the local people, our volunteers get to know the Honduran culture. 

Volunteering in one of our projects in Honduras offers a win-win situation for the Honduran people, as well for the volunteers. An in-depth insight into the health or education system, the diverse wildlife, etc. offers the collaboration in local organizations together with the Honduran people. 

Honduras is still unknown to most people. We want to change this with our commitment to Honduras. Honduras offers several advantages: the beautiful and varied landscape and nature, the diverse flora and fauna, the hospitality of the Honduran people and a country that is not yet overrun by mass tourism.

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Support is needed in many institutions. We have maintained a very good exchange with a lot of honduran non-profit institutions for many years. Support through volunteering is therefore always highly appreciated. As a volunteer, you help where help is needed. 

The individual support and advice of the volunteers before departure as well as the organization of the volunteer projects based on the interests of the volunteers is particularly important to us. We are looking for the project based on the wishes and interests of the volunteers. This is possible since we are a small organization that works exclusively with Honduras. 

25 years ago, I was a volunteer in an social project in Honduras. When our organization SWHO was founded, the many years of experience as an organizer on the one hand and as a volunteer in a latin america country on the other formed the basis. 

Our strengths are our fundamental knowledge of the culture and conditions in Honduras, our many years of experience, our flexibility in finding volunteer projects, our personal contact and our professional and serious advice before leaving for Honduras. 


7 reviews · rating4.6

Andrea Spalinger rating4.8

2023 at Teaching and Primary School Support

Unterstützung in einer öffentlichen Schule von Roatan und bei RBC Insular (soziale Organisation für Kinder mit Sprachschwierigkeiten). Am Morgen arbeitete ich jeweils von 8-12 bei RBC und konnte aktiv mit den Kindern Übungen machen und am Nachmittag unterstützte ich die Lehrerinnen in der ...
Franziska rating4.8

2019 at Community Social Work Assistant

Mein Aufenthalt in Honduras war eine grossartige Erfahrung. Die Kinder waren unglaublich herzlich. Es war toll mit ihnen zusammen zu sein. Sie liebten es zu spielen. Da ich leider fast kein Spanisch sprach, verstanden sie oft nicht was ich sagte. Aber es war egal, weil wir uns irgendwie ...
Ich erhielt sehr viel Unterstützung bei der Vorbereitung meiner Reise. Die Beratung war sehr gut. Ich konnte mich dadurch sehr gut vorbereiten. Mein Freiwilligeneinsatz war auf Roatan, eine Karibikinsel im Norden Honduras. Ich wurde am Flughafen durch die Organisation und die Gastfamilie abgeholt. ..
Sabrina rating4.8

2018 at Local Healthcare Support

Es war mir wichtig einen Einsatz in einem Projekt zu leisten, in welchem ich Personen helfen konnte, die die Hilfe auch tatsächlich benötigen. Vor meiner Abreise erhielt ich viele wichtige Informationen und fühlte mich daher sehr gut vorbereitet. Ich wusste, dass die Arbeit in Honduras nicht mit ...
Hannah rating4.6

2017 at Community Social Work Assistant

Vor meiner Abreise wurde ich sehr gut beraten. Eliane nahm sich sehr viel Zeit. Ich konnte jederzeit mit ihr über Whatsapp schreiben oder mit ihr telefonieren. Grosses Kompliment. Ich war sehr zufrieden. Es war eine einzigartige Erfahrung, die ich nie vergessen werde. Es dauerte ein paar Tage, bis ...
Vanessa rating4.4

2017 at Community Social Work Assistant

Die Arbeit in meinem Projekt mit Kinder hat mir sehr viel Spass gemacht. Ich habe die Zeit mit den Kindern sehr genossen. Roatan ist eine wunderschöne Insel. Die Unterkunft in meiner Gastfamilie war einfach, sauber und absolut ausreichend. Ich hatte ein Einzelzimmer für mich alleine. Ich konnte ...

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